6-Questions About Christ's Divinity - RSV

1. Doesn't the Bible Teach That Jesus Was the "First Born" of Creation and Therefore, Having Been Created, Cannot Have Been Co-Existent with the Father From Eternity? Here Is the Text Used for This Question:
Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the _invisible_ God, the first-born of all _creation_;

2. The Previous Text Refers to Jesus As the First Born of Every Creature. Jesus Declared That He Was the "I Am" Meaning the Self-Existent One.
Exodus 3:14 God said to _Moses_, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the _people_ of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

John 8:58 _Jesus_ said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, _before_ Abraham was, I am."

The Greek word here for first born is prototokos meaning the pre-eminent one-the one who has the privileges and prerogatives of God. Jesus is the first born not in the sense of time. Jesus is the first born in the sense of privilege. All the privileges of the first born are His. David was the eighth son of Jesse, yet called the first born because of his priviledged status as king.

 3. Jesus Existed Before Abraham. Isaiah the Prophet Called Him the Everlasting Father.
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the _government_ will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, _Everlasting_ Father, Prince of Peace."

4. Micah Declares That His Origin Is From Everlasting.
Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Eph'rathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from _ancient_ days.

5. John Affirms That Jesus Is God.
John 1:1 In the _beginning_ was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

6. Jesus Had The Privileges And Prerogatives Of God.
Philippians 2:5-11 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count _equality_ with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the _likeness_ of men. [8] And being found in human form he _humbled_ himself and became _obedient_ unto death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly _exalted_ him and _bestowed_ on him the name which is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue _confess_ that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Hebrews 2:14 Since therefore the _children_ share in flesh and blood, he himself _likewise_ partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

Hebrews 2:17 Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and _faithful_ high priest in the service of God, to make _expiation_ for the sins of the people.

While the world was lost He voluntarily left heaven to become a man, dwelling in human flesh, fighting temptations as we fight them. He overcame in our behalf.

Next Bible Study: 7-Salvation

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